A major hospital has defended the introduction of an Aboriginal lounge and a “crowd-friendly menu” following accusations it is “separating people by race”.
Canberra Hospital is building an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ward as part of a major expansion due to be completed next year.
The lounge, which will feature a chat circle, is intended to make it more “culturally safe” for Indigenous patients and their families, a hospital spokesperson said.
Patients who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can also select from the ‘Crowd Menu’, which includes options such as kangaroo stew.
A Canberra Health Services spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the “crowd menu” had been developedTo improve the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers during their stay and help them feel ‘supported’ while away from their community.
The hospital will have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lounge next year (pictured)
Kangaroo stew, curry sausages and savoury minced meat are available on the ‘crowd menu’.
“We have worked closely with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consumer Reference Group to design this welcoming and culturally safe space,” the spokesperson said.
‘The Hall recognises the importance of connection to country, fostering a sense of belonging and enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access healthcare in a culturally supportive environment.’
The hospital expansion was developed in collaboration with representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Includes design features’that further reinforce the connection to the country, such as views of the surrounding mountain range and Aboriginal art.
But Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt accused the hospital of offering an “apartheid menu”.
Canberra Hospital (pictured) has defended a decision to introduce an Aboriginal-only lounge and a “crowd-friendly menu” after being accused of “separating people by race”.
A new building at Canberra Hospital (pictured) will feature a range of new amenities
“Why are we separating people by race like this? In a public hospital for all Australians of all races, paid for by Australians of all races,” he fumed.
‘How can the ACT Labor Government and the Albanese Labor Government justify funding this apartheid, this kind of state racism, to divide us by race, to care for us by race, even to feed us by race?’
Mr Bolt added: “If you are concerned about racism, then you should be concerned about this.”
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